The Nissan Casting Australia Plant in Dandenong, Victoria has achieved a significant milestone by securing official Australian Made certification for the first time since beginning operations in 1982. This recognition comes as the facility gears up to produce crucial components for the highly anticipated Y63 Nissan Patrol, set to arrive in Australia by late 2026.
Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director of Nissan Oceania, proudly announced the achievement, noting that the plant now produces components for both locally sold and left-hand drive versions of the Patrol offered overseas.
“We are proud to announce that the Nissan Casting Australia Plant is producing crucial parts for the brand’s 4WD flagship, the Y63 Nissan Patrol,” Humberstone stated in a recent press release.
Local Manufacturing Success Story
The Dandenong facility represents a remarkable success story in Australia’s automotive landscape, especially following the departure of major car manufacturers from local production. While complete vehicle assembly has largely disappeared from Australian shores, the Nissan plant continues to thrive as a specialized component manufacturer.
Operating since 1982, the plant has evolved into a vital export hub for Nissan, shipping Australian-made components to assembly facilities around the globe. The recent $4.6 million investment in 2024 demonstrates Nissan’s commitment to maintaining this manufacturing footprint in Australia.
“The Nissan Casting Australia Plant is a true local automotive manufacturing success story, and it’s one we’re incredibly proud of,” Humberstone emphasized. “Earning official Australian Made certification is recognition of the team’s hard work over a long period of time in producing world-class componentry that appears in Nissan vehicles around the world.”
Production Scale and Component Range
The facility’s production capacity is impressive by any standard. Currently, the Dandenong plant manufactures approximately 1.2 million examples of 25 different parts annually for Nissan vehicles worldwide. These components are shipped to assembly plants in as many as 40 different countries.
Among the most visible products are the approximately 16,000 towbars made at the plant each year, which will now prominently feature the green-and-gold kangaroo logo of the Australian Made certification. The plant also produces towbars for the Patrol, Navara, and Pathfinder models.
Beyond traditional vehicle components, the Dandenong facility has specialized in manufacturing parts for electric vehicles and hybrid systems. It produces water jacket coolers, inverter cases, and inverter covers for the British-made Nissan Qashqai and the all-electric Leaf. Additionally, it manufactures components for Nissan’s innovative e-Power drivetrains used in the X-Trail and Qashqai SUVs.
The Next-Generation Y63 Patrol
The upcoming Y63 Patrol represents a significant evolution from its predecessor, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine replacing the outgoing 5.6-liter V8. Despite downsizing, the new powerplant delivers more punch with outputs of 317kW and 700Nm – an increase of 19kW and 140Nm over the previous generation.
Built on a new platform, the Y63 Patrol is larger in almost every dimension. It measures 5205mm in length (+35mm), 2030mm in width (+35mm), while maintaining its 1955mm height. The third row and cargo area have also been substantially improved, with the rear section and boot being 30 percent wider than in the Y62 model.
The new Patrol will feature six drive modes – standard, sand, rock, mud, eco, and sport – along with a 4WD transfer mode interlock system, a first for Nissan. This system allows drivers to transition seamlessly between different terrain settings.
Economic Impact and Future Outlook
The Dandenong plant currently employs 192 people and exports approximately $82 million worth of parts annually, making it a significant contributor to the local economy. While Nissan has announced plans to close seven of its 17 global facilities by early 2027 due to financial challenges, the recent investment in the Australian operation suggests confidence in its future.
Australia has been a bright spot for Nissan globally, with sales increasing 15 percent year-on-year in 2024, led by strong performance from the X-Trail model. This success, combined with the plant’s specialized capabilities, positions it well within Nissan’s global manufacturing network.
The collaboration with Melbourne-based Premcar to develop and manufacture the Patrol Warrior and Navara Warrior models further demonstrates Nissan’s commitment to leveraging Australian engineering and manufacturing expertise. These locally enhanced vehicles have proven popular both domestically and in export markets like South Africa.
Global Context and Market Position
The Y63 Patrol is positioned as a direct competitor to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, with Nissan hoping to challenge Toyota’s dominance in the large 4WD segment. The new twin-turbocharged V6 engine matches the LandCruiser’s 700Nm of torque while delivering significantly more power than Toyota’s 227kW diesel V6.
If pricing in Australia follows the pattern established in the US market, where the new model maintains similar pricing to its predecessor, the Y63 Patrol could present a compelling value proposition against its key rival. The US-market Armada (the Patrol’s American cousin) starts at around US$58,530, with only minimal price increases for higher-specification variants.
Commitment to Australian Manufacturing
Despite Nissan’s global restructuring, the Dandenong plant’s ability to produce specialized components not made elsewhere in Nissan’s supply chain gives it a unique position within the company’s manufacturing footprint. The production of Y63 Patrol components represents a vote of confidence in the quality and capability of Australian manufacturing.
The Australian Made certification is more than symbolic – it represents the high standards and quality control that the Dandenong facility maintains. This recognition could potentially open new export opportunities and strengthen Nissan’s position in the Australian market.
“The team’s dedication to world-class quality has been recognized with this certification, and we’re excited to see the Australian-made components in the new Y63 Patrol when it arrives in late 2026,” Humberstone concluded.
FAQs
What parts for the Y63 Patrol will be made in Australia? The Nissan Casting Australia Plant produces various components, including towbars and potentially other drivetrain and body components for the Y63 Patrol.
When will the Y63 Nissan Patrol be available in Australia? The Y63 Patrol is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms in late 2026, with potential to arrive up to six months earlier.
How many people does the Nissan Casting Australia Plant employ? The plant currently employs 192 people at its Dandenong facility.
What is different about the new Y63 Patrol compared to the current model?The Y63 features a twin-turbocharged V6 engine replacing the V8, delivers more power and torque, is larger in dimensions, and features advanced technology and improved interior space.
What is the value of parts exported from the Nissan Casting Australia Plant?The plant exports approximately $82 million worth of parts annually to as many as 40 different countries.